Thanks Kwame!

Two avowed black hats on the 49ers’ landscape are actually helping them out. Former first-round tackle Kwame Harris, a long-time whipping boy for 49ers’ fans for his porous pass protection, was swept up in free agency by the Raiders. The three-year, $16 million deal bestowed by the cross Bay rival, was part of a fromulation that landed the 49ers fifth- and seven-round compensatory picks on Monday.

Harris’s contract with Raiders helped the 49ers get two compensatory picks for the upcoming draft.

Harris, guard Justin Smiley, running back Maurice Hicks, defensive end Marques Douglas all left the team through free agency, while the team signed unrestricted free agents in quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan, defensive lineman Justin Smith and wide receiver Bryant Johnson. The NFL, assessed the 49ers UFA comings and goings through playing time and contracts of those involved and found a disparity and thus awarded the 49ers the two extra picks. It gives them nine overall, with their own selection in each round and now the two freebies. Under league rules, compensatory picks can’t be traded.

So just how have the 49ers fared in the fifth round and seventh rounds recently? The team only has two of their original fifth-rounders on the team, linebacker Parys Haralson and cornerback Tarell Brown. Haralson, with his eight sacks, was a terrific bargain, while Brown, drafted in 2007, has yet to realize his promise.

In the seventh round, the 49ers discovered center long-snapper Brian Jennings (’00), center Eric Heitmann (’02), and tight end Billy Bajema (’05). Of that threesome, only Bajema’s job is threatened.